These don’t look healthy … but they aren’t as naughty for you as alternatives. These are supposed to be coated with chocolate on top, but I feel less guilty (though I use the same amount of chocolate) stirring in all the chocolate chips to make this cake look more muffin-like.

These cakes also aren’t very sweet. I really like them (and so does my husband and his colleagues). If you’re looking for a great little snack for you and some mommy friends, this is it! Nature’s Path Organic’s SmartBran can be eaten as a cereal or used in baking. I’ve used SmartBran in the Diane Hendrik’s Strawberry Cheesecake crust I made earlier this year, and I got this recipe off the box. You can find other SmartBran recipes on the Nature’s Path Recipes on their site, as well as other recipes using their other products.

I think using Nature’s Path in cooking is an easy way to make healthier choices if you enjoy baking.

4. In a bowl, beat the sugar and 1/3 cup of oil together for 2 minutes. Add the soymilk-vinegar mixture and beat until well combined.

5. Fold the liquid into the dry ingredients just until blended. Do not over mix. Divide the batter among the prepared cups. Gently pat the tops with your fingers to smooth them off. Distribute the remaining chocolate chips on top.

6. Bake for 10 minutes. Rotate the pans back to front and continue baking until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean, 8 to 10 minutes longer. Transfer the cupcakes from the pan to a cooling rack.

7. Working quickly, use a spatula to spread the melted chips into an even coat on top of each cupcake. Gently press a walnut half into the middle.

8. Cool to room temperature. Store in a tightly sealed container in a cool place for up to 3 days.

MY CHANGES:

1. I didn’t use the extra ½ tablespoon for oil for the muffin liners. I didn’t seem to have a problem peeling the paper.

2. We don’t buy or use soy milk so I used fat-free cow’s milk. After the milk has curdled, I added 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.

3. I didn’t divide the chocolate chips. I just poured them all into the batter and mixed. Like I’d said, this gives more of a muffin-feel than cupcake as there isn’t a “frosting”.

4. I didn’t add the espresso since I don’t like coffee, and instant is really in sin here in Seattle.

5. I didn’t add the nut to the top so that people with nut allergies could enjoy them too.

About Summer:

Summer is the President of our Local MOMS Club chapter, she is the mother of two adorable active boys, and is always thinking of ways to help others. She is a friend, a wife, and always busy as all mommies are. She is very active on Facebook, addicted to Geocaching and very interested in organic and green living.

I had a New Years Resolution to start eating healthier and we’ve been succeeding. Life long changes take more time to completely fulfill than resolutions that most people quit in the first week, and seeing as how it’s February, most of you have probably given up on your resolutions. Deep Breath! It’s ok.

Some of my Tips on changing your lifestyle practices:

Use smaller plates when eating

Fill your plate 3/4 of the way with fruits, veggies, and lots of greens

Take the stairs as often as possible and carry your kids while you’re at it

Walk the Dog

Or even better Run with the dog

Playing active games with the kids, dancing, riding the plasma car, and a healthy game of chase

Park farther away when shopping

Stop the coffee runs (difficult but coffee at home gets the same results and is way cheaper and lower in calories)

So, to get to the point of this post……..

Dannon Yogurt feels the same way about resolutions as I do. It’s better to take small steps towards your goal of living a healthier lifestyle. That’s why they have a fun Dannon Small Steps promotional giveaway going on. Take Small Steps to a Better You from January 23 – February 28th.

What you could win:

Three (3) Grand Prizes: free groceries for a year, valued at $7,800.

Fifty (50) First Prizes: free groceries for a month, valued at $550.

One hundred (100) Second Prizes: will win free groceries for a week, valued at $150.

Bugs bunny and the gang are pushing healthy food at your local Safeway; you can find it labeled as Eating Right. I’ve seen them on the isles advertising healthy food. You can find them in the produce section, frozen food section and even in the canned food section. You can find them everywhere in Safeway.

We shop at Safeway from time to time. I even used to be a Safeway Survey taker but I ran out of time for that so I left that program. But Safeway really does care about consumers opinions. They know that health is a concern for parents and getting kids to eat right is a challenge.

With the help of Warner Brothers Safeway has a new product line and they sent my family some samples. They are regular items that have healthier benefits than others. For example, they sent us a can of cheese ravioli that you just pop the top off and throw in the microwave, well it’s whole grain macaroni. I’ve learned about the importance of whole grains. It’s a substance our bodies need and better than plain flour. They also sent us a snack bar and fruit cup to enjoy a healthy well rounded lunch.

Everything tasted fine and was a welcome convenience since I’m still unpacking and moving into my new house. It’s been fun in a way because I keep getting new boxes in the mail and then I can go back to an old box. Some of the junk I have is so old that I completely forgot about it.

Eating Right has over 250 products to choose from with over 20 food categories. They also include every member of the family with the options. You can choose from all of the health needs that you can imagine. Such as high fiber, low sodium, low fat, multi-grain and many more. They are also majorly pushing the healthy eating to kids.